Defiance of Left/Right stereotypes-- A christian argument against USA consumerist culture (poll, Merry Christmas)

[harborlady]

I came across this article and noted how differently religion is painted in poli forum, how christians communicate in forum, and what this man is saying.

Naturally, no individual can represent all, and there might be disagreement amongst Christians (or even clergy), but I think this article busts stereotypes clean out of the water. Note this was written in 2001 directed toward religious folks to negotiate secular life mindfully. Atheists/ agnostics are free to read this objectively with an eye on principles and less on references to God. This isn't about proselytizing, it's about understanding 'the other side' of the political fence better.

Christian Asceticism: Breaking Consumerism's Destructive Hold (http://www.cjd.org/paper/consum.html - broken link)

Consumerism gives rise to truly fiendish lifestyle. Labor and the use of capital are supposed to yield personal and familial financial stability through ownership. The consumerist system drives its participants through labor and financial speculation (credit or investment) to sustain artificial lifestyles they "have" but do not "own," thus preventing on principle the minimal stability accorded by private property. They cannot rest or be secure in the fruit of their labor because they do not yet own that fruit. Today's consumerist is like yesterday's coal miner who could not answer "St. Peter's call" because he owed his soul to the company store. .....

Those who have given over to a consumeristic lifestyle cannot give proper priority to rest, recreation, joy, or prayer. They simply do not have the time, energy, or security to do so. They live with an inner fear that compels them forward in an endless effort to secure what is not securable: their unrealistic lifestyles. Even if they manage to place God somewhere into the scheme of things they are still trapped because .....

Far from attaining a better life, consumerists experience alienation and fear. Always wanting more, their sense of accomplishment is ephemeral and they are strangers to contentment. Always in danger of losing what they have but do not own, a sense of urgency and futility are .... .

[Mike from back east]

Seems that many people were happier when they had less.

I once took a day off work (about 30 years ago) to do door-to-door sales in my community in western Fairfax County, Va. I went to about a hundred homes, knocked on the doors, and only found about 10 people at home and noted that the streets were devoid of parked cars (but by about 9PM the place was chock full of cars). The two-income family was a reality even back then, people wanting more out of life in the way of material things so both worked, though surely some HAD to work to make it in that expensive county. I had neighbors on both sides of us that I referred to as "The Heartbeat of America" families as both had 3-4 Chevy products sitting in the garage, driveway and on the street (caddies, suburbans, pickups, etc).

When I was a kid in the 1950's, we lived in row homes and were happy to play step ball in the alley, ride those clunky old roller skates, or collect a few baseball cards. Today, it seems everything is off the scale; I used to just shake my head in disbelief at people collecting beanie babies and such stuff.

[dunks_galore]

Merry Christmas everyone!

Celebrate the birth of the Savior by sucker punching a grandmother in Wal-Mart over a talking doll!

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by dunks_galore

Merry Christmas everyone!

Celebrate the birth of the Savior by sucker punching a grandmother in Wal-Mart over a talking doll!

YES! Love that CHRISTmas spirit!

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Seems that many people were happier when they had less.

I once took a day off work (about 30 years ago) to do door-to-door sales in my community in western Fairfax County, Va. I went to about a hundred homes, knocked on the doors, and only found about 10 people at home and noted that the streets were devoid of parked cars (but by about 9PM the place was chock full of cars). The two-income family was a reality even back then, people wanting more out of life in the way of material things so both worked, though surely some HAD to work to make it in that expensive county. I had neighbors on both sides of us that I referred to as "The Heartbeat of America" families as both had 3-4 Chevy products sitting in the garage, driveway and on the street (caddies, suburbans, pickups, etc).

When I was a kid in the 1950's, we lived in row homes and were happy to play step ball in the alley, ride those clunky old roller skates, or collect a few baseball cards. Today, it seems everything is off the scale; I used to just shake my head in disbelief at people collecting beanie babies and such stuff.

Isn't the home shopping network 'social circle' downright odd? I have to wonder about those women.

I remember an America that was more grateful for what we had (even if it wasn't perfect) and didn't lose sight of what was most important in life. Violence in schools was socially shunned. I also remember a standard of leadership where they paid closer attention to the bigger picture of their actions. Stewardship was a virtue to admire about a man. Fast forward to present tense... I think we've gotten too myopic and oblivious to our actions.

I hear many men grousing about women in the forum, likely divorced, a statistic of culture. Wouldn't it be interesting to see a poll of wives asked to choose 8hrs of their husbands time (overtime) or the income it produced? I'll bet you they'd want his time more than the extra income. I've got a sneaking suspicion if the poll were men asked to trade, they'd want the same.